MOTOCROSS ACTION MIDWEEK REPORT

Another great weekend of racing is over. Chase Sexton once again took the overall win with 1-1 moto scores. After Jett Lawrence’s injury, Chase was voted to win by the most app users, with Hunter Lawrence being the most voted to finish second. The 250 class saw quite a shakeup this weekend, with riders like Dilan Schwartz and Casey Cochran off the radar but able to place in the top six. Haiden Deegan was predicted to win, but ended up second overall. Levi Kitchen also took the win with 1-1 moto scores.

THE WINNER OF THE SPRING CREEK FANTASY LEAGUE “AYILAR96″

There were a few ties this weekend. But like every weekend, if there is a tie, the user who submitted the entries first wins. This week, AYILAR96 was the winner of the Wiseco-supported products.

250 CLASS PREDICTIONS

In the 250cc class, Haiden Deegan was predicted to win. Haiden finished second overall and received 23 fantasy points with no bonus. In heat two, Tom Vialle was selected, who finished seventh after a tough second heat and received no fantasy points as he finished outside the top six. In third was Jo Shimoda, who finished only thirteenth the day after his early exit in heat two and received no fantasy points. In fourth was Ty Masterpool, who finished eighth the day after his starting crash in heat two and received no points. In fifth was Levi Kitchen, who scored 26 fantasy points as he won the race but received no bonus for prediction. In sixth was Max Anstie, who finished fourth overall after a win in heat two and received 19 fantasy points and no bonus.

450 CLASS PREDICTIONS

In the 450 class, Chase Sexton was predicted to win and he took the win in both heats, earning him 36 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. Hunter Lawrence was selected in second and he would also finish in that spot, earning him 33 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. Justin Cooper was selected in third and he would also finish in third, earning him 31 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. Aaron Plessinger was selected in fourth and this was also a correct prediction, earning him 29 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus. Jason Anderson was selected in fifth place and that was a correct prediction that earned him 28 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus and Dylan Ferrandis was selected in sixth place and that earned him 27 fantasy points including the ten-point bonus, making for a perfect sweep in the 450 class.

ASK THE MXPERTS: HELP! MY WP FORKS COLLAPSED IN THE SEAT

Dear MXperts,
I bought a new KTM 350SXF and when I went to the shop two days later the forks collapsed. I pumped them up again but it didn’t help. Is there an easy solution to this problem?

Yes, it is possible. We’ll tell you what the problem is after we explain how and why your air fork can fail without you riding the bike.

Modern Air Forks (WP, TAC, PSF) Air forks have two separate air chambers, each with its own air pressure. The upper air chamber, also called the main chamber, pushes the fork down to withstand the forces of hitting bumps or landing after jumps. This is easy to understand because it works the same way as a steel coil spring. The air pressure in the main chamber can cause a condition known as “topping out.” Topping out occurs when the fork is fully compressed and the air pressure in the fork is acting in the opposite direction of the air in the main chamber. In short, the compressed air in the fork causes the fork to quickly extend back out to its full length. This is called “topping out” because when the fork has reached its full length, it makes a clanking sound as it reaches the end of its stroke.

The solution to “tip-over” on air forks, specifically the 2015-2018 Kayaba PSF and Showa SFF-TAC air forks, was to add a second air chamber on the opposite side of the pressurized main chamber. The air pressure under the main chamber was used to prevent the forks from tipping over on the rebound stroke. This second chamber was called the “negative chamber”. On the Showa and Kayaba air forks, it was actually a second chamber with its own piston and Schraeder valve for adjustment. But it was a nightmare to deal with and eventually Showa and Kayaba gave up production of their air forks.

KTM, on the other hand, didn’t blindly jump into the air fork craze. Instead, KTM watched the Japanese fork brands fail and then came up with an ingeniously simple idea, especially compared to the complicated compensation chambers of Showa and Kayaba air forks. KTM’s concept was to use the air pressure in the main chamber to do double duty. Essentially, the main chamber is also used as a negative chamber.

And now to answer your question about an “easy fix.” WP forks can go flat if you don’t use them. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. Why? The air from the main chamber escapes through the vent slot into the negative chamber, and the unbalanced air pressure pulls the fork legs up. The easy fix is ​​to move the fork legs up and down so that the pressure from the negative chamber can be transferred back into the main chamber. When this happens, the forks extend to their full length. However, it often takes two or more people to move the forks up and down their full length. One person sits on the bike and pushes the fork down, while a second person sits astride the front wheel and helps apply even more downward force.

Once you put the forks into a rocking motion, the air trapped in the negative chamber is vented through the crossover vent slot into the main chamber, returning the forks to their original length. All you need to do is reset the air pressure and take the bike for a quick test ride.

MARVIN MUSQUIN + KTM 125 TWO-STROKE WIDE OPEN



Quote of the week: Casey Cochran – first podium

“I had a great start, great first laps, a good lead and was just shocked… When I look back I’m like, ‘Where did everyone go?’ To finish second was thrilling and then to finish third overall is an incredible feeling. All the hard work is paying off so I’m ready to keep building and making progress.”

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Chase Sexton celebrates with the fans in Millville.

CLASSIC MXA PHOTO

Mike “The Rock” LaRocco digs deep in the sand.

MXA Photo Trivia Answer: Ernesto Fonseca, 1999 East Coast 125 Champion.